Another brilliant boat trip this morning, starting with cracking views of Great Northern Diver in North Channel, followed by 2 Black-necked Grebe in Bramble Bush Bay, and a stunning encounter with a first winter male Eider in the Central Harbour. In total eight raptor species were recorded, the highlights being fourth calendar year male White-tailed Eagle G463 on Shag Loe, Hen Harrier and Marsh Harrier hunting simultaneously on Arne Moors, a close flyby from a Sparrowhawk, and a Red Kite over Keysworth! Red-breasted Merganser and Great Crested Grebe remain present in decent numbers throughout the harbour, particularly South Deep, the central harbour and the Wareham Channel, the latter of which also held 5 Goldeneye. Highlights from elsewhere in the harbour included 50 Redwing in the sheep fields in Upton Country Park, and the first Lytchett Bay Green Woodpecker record of the year along with 2 Marsh Harrier and 30 Mediterranean Gull.

Eider – Winter Safari Cruise – Alison Copland

It’s warming up and there were more signs of spring today. Woodlark were singing at a couple of traditional sites and the first singing Blackcap of the spring was heard in Oakdale. Buzzard were in full display mode and at Arne Dartford Warbler were sub-singing. In Holes Bay there were 3036 Black-tailed Godwit which is a great February total, 180 Avocet, 1220 Wigeon and 807 Teal. In Middlebere 2 Spotted Redshank were feeding on the low tide, 4 Black-necked Grebe were in Shell Bay. Firecrest seem to be everywhere at the moment, with individuals turning up at multiple sites including in private gardens at urban sites such as Oakdale, but totals of 2 or more were logged at the PCW drain, Upton CP, Norden sewage works, Swineham and Knoll Beach, Studland. There are still decent numbers of Marsh Harrier around with 2 in Lytchett Bay, 2 in Middlebere and 4 at Swineham. White-tailed Eagles were lurking too with 2 in and around the Wareham Channel area.

Spotted Redshank – Middlebere 

A tad quieter today but 3 Spotted Redshank, c200 Avocet and a ringtail Hen Harrier were seen in Middlebere. This morning 2 White-tailed Eagle were in the Wareham Channel but not seen throughout the rest of the day. Off Middle Beach 5 Black-necked Grebe and 2 Common Scoter were in Studland Bay and at Norden Sewage Work there were still 10+ Common Chiffchaff and 2 Firecrest.

Ringtail Hen Harrier – Middlebere – Garry Hayman

Much milder today and another flat calm harbour. A Bittern was seen to drop down into the main reed bed off Swineham Point this afternoon along with 1 Merlin, 1 Spotted Redshank, c100 Avocet and c300 Dunlin. Plus, there were 4 different Marsh Harrier including a stunning adult male off Swineham Point. A White-tailed Eagle was over Hartland Moor and was seen tracking towards the Wareham Channel this afternoon and 2 were seen circling over Wareham around 1pm. There were still 2000+ Black-tailed Godwit in Holes Bay north, a Black Redstart was in a private garden near Northmoor, Wareham. A single Spoonbill was feeding on the Swineham scrapes this evening.

Black-tailed Godwits, Pintail, Wigeon and Teal – Holes Bay – Martin Adams

What a cracking day to be out on the water, although it was an interesting atmosphere to start with for our Winter Safari Cruise with the cold heavy fog over the south of the harbour today. As the fog lifted, Brownsea Lagoon was mostly frozen, with the usual large flock of Black-tailed Godwit roosting elsewhere – likely contributing to the 2000+ Black-tailed Godwit seen in Holes Bay this morning, along with 200 Avocet. There were still plenty of birds using the lagoon, including around 50 Black-tailed Godwit, 200 Avocet, 50 Bar-tailed Godwit, 40 Oystercatcher, 20 Curlew, 6 Sanderling, 10 Turnstone, 30 Wigeon, 10 Teal and 2 Grey Plover present. Many of the open water birds had moved into the central harbour and Wareham Channel, with 120 Red-breasted Merganser and 40 Great Crested Grebe around. 1 Black-necked Grebe provided stunning views near Redhorn. A further 7 Black-necked Grebe were also reported from Middle Beach today. In the Wareham Channel, at least 2 Marsh Harrier were seen, along with the highlight of a ringtail Hen Harrier over Arne Moors. The recent clear skies and full moon has definitely seen a departure of some species, with notably low numbers of Goldeneye logged with just 6 in the Wareham Channel. Later in the afternoon, 3 White-tailed Eagle were active in the Wareham Channel which is frustrating to say the least considering we had a boat trip this morning and didn’t see them! There’s always next time. The Barclays Peregrines were up on the ledge again and seen dropping down onto the nesting tray.

Fog over Poole Harbour – Poole Quay – David White

There wasn’t a great deal to see for much of the morning, not even your hand in front of your face, but as the fog and gloom cleared it revealed a few bits and pieces. A cold and frosty start in Holes Bay produced 2500+ Black-tailed Godwit and 200+ Avocet with well over 1500 Wigeon and 750 Teal with 4 Common Snipe in the Creekmoor Channel. There were 3 White-tailed Eagle active around the Wareham Channel area with one footed male G463 seen in Lytchett Bay. There was also a male Merlin seen dashing through past Rock Lea view and a Cattle Egret flew over Wareham Common this evening heading to roost.

White-tailed Eagle – Lytchett Bay – Alison Copland

What a beaut of a day. Lots more of these please! The warmth has really triggered some breeding activity as well as the emergence of numerous insect species. Red Admiral and a Comma Butterfly were on the wing, ponds and ditches are already bustling with Common Frog and Common Toad wrestling for females and soon to be laying spawn. Crocus’s, Daffodils and Snowdrops are all in flower and bird song is ringing in the air. There has already been multiple courtship displays logged with Sparrowhawk and Goshawk now in full display mode, Common Buzzard were also out in force today and the Poole Peregrines have been busy dropping down to the nest ledge on the (ex) Barclays building, attending to their nest and no doubt prepping for another busy summer of parenthood. Although White-tailed Eagles have been ‘around’ in recent weeks, they’ve not been spending long periods of time in the harbour, however today 3 were very active around the Wareham Channel and Lytchett Bay area. In Middlebere this afternoon 2 Hen Harrier were buzzing about. At Norden Sewage Works there was a minimum of 10 Common Chiffchaff and 3 Firecrest. Off Middle Beach a Slavonian Grebe and a Great Northern Diver were seen and at Lytchett Fields there were 2 Water Pipit and 1 Spotted Redshank. At Hatch Pond the female Bearded Tit was seen again.

Ringtail Hen Harrier – Middlebere – Rob Morrison

A nice mix of reports today despite low coverage, with a Slavonian Grebe in Poole Bay, off Alum Chine. This morning 2 Eider flew in to the harbour and around lunchtime a White-tailed Eagle flew over Lytchett Bay. Shipstal Bay hosted 17 Spoonbill, there were 7 Common Scoter, 2 Slavonian Grebe and 10 Black-necked Grebe in Studland Bay. At Swineham 4 Marsh Harrier were active this afternoon, Raven were ‘cronking’ over the gravel pit and a Chiffchaff was even in song briefly at the eastern end of the main pit. In the PCW Drain 10+ Chiffchaff were along the ditch with a Firecrest again (opposite KFC).

Black Redstart – North Haven, Sandbanks – Ian ballam

Another early spring-like day brought welcome sunshine and periods of warmth triggering plenty of birdsong. Woodlark have begun finding their voice and many more familiar garden birds are in full plastic song. Highlights from across the harbour include a Black Redstart in a Carey garden. A watch from Shell Bay enjoyed 2 Great Northern Diver occupying Poole Bay, with 5 Eider and 12 Pintail picked up flying into the harbour. While a Firecrest was actively feeding behind Rock Lea View, Lytchett Bay.

Black Redstart – Carey Garden – Seb Haggett